Thomas wilson



(No Model.)

vPROTEGTOR FOR-VESSELS AGAINST RATS. No. 376,839. I Patented Jan. 24, 1888.

J?? venia/1 UNITED STATES PATENT f @Frisia f THOMAS wILsON, Or NORTH TARRYTOWN, New YORK,`

l|=R `J"T|lzoToR FOR viEssELs 'AGAINST RATS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 376,839, dated January 24, 1888.

Application filed March 14, 1F87. Serial No. 230,825. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, iz? may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS WrLsoN, o North Tarrytown, Westchester county, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Protectors for Vessels against Rats, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being lhad to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification. t

My invention is an improved device for preventing rats and other like vermin from corning on board vessels anchored out in the stream.

In the drawings Villustrating my invention, in which like letters indicate like parts, Figure lis a view of my improved device open, showing the mode ofplaoing it on the anchor-chain.

Fig. 2 is a view of my improved device in po-V sition on, the anchor-chain of the vessel. Fig. 3 is a View of my improveddevice applied to the propeller-shaft of the vessel.

It is a well-known fact that the only way rats or other like vermin can get on board vessels anchored out in the stream, away from all contact with wharves or other vessels, is by A, constructed of iron, brass,v or other'suitable metal, whichis attached tothe anchorchainy or propeller-shaft with the large or open end downward or outward, as shown in Figs.,

2 and 3. As will be fullyv understood from the drawings, when the rats climb up the chain or along the shaft they run into the cone, and their further progress is arrested. As the interior of the cone is smooth and slippery, and constructed so asvto be free from all projections or c'revices which would furnish the rats a foothold, they cannot climb to the edge of the cone and over on the outside, and, more-` over, as the cone is made large and flaring at its open end, the rats cannot jump from the chain to the edge of the cone and so get on the outside.

"seen in Fig. 1.

The coneshould be attached to the chain lat such a distance from the vessel that it will be impossible for the rats to jump from the chain under the cone `on board of the vessel.l cone thus eectually prevents the rats cliinb` ing up'the chain or along the shaft, and thus get ,t-ingon board the vessel.

My improved device is intended tO be fasti' ened to the chain after the vcsselhas come to v6; v n

anchor, and for the purpose of` being' readily attached to the chain the cone itself opens,

as shown in Fig. l, being constructed in two parts, which are hinged along one edge, asat H, and fastened together, when closed, by the locks a.

The conev is attached to the chain by two straps or bands of brass or other metal, B B,

which are secured to the outside of the cone,

and project from the apex, as shown particw, 7o

larly'in Fig. 1. One of these straps or bands, B', for convenience in fastening, is hinged at J), where it leaves or projects from the apex of .the cone, so it can turn outward, as will be.

In the portion of the straps which projects from the cone are elongated openings, (shown at C,)`which are made long enough'to receive lthe links' of the chain,`and between these openings C. are smaller round openings D, for the passage of screw-bolts to 8o hold the straps together and in place. Toat- The 55 tach the cone to the` chain, it is first opened and placed around the chain at such a position on the latter that the transverse links of the.

chain will fit in the elongated openings C in the fixed strap B. The cone is then closed and fastened together by means of the hooks a. The hinged strap B is afterwardjclosed against the chain. The transverse links ofv the chain now .restl in the openings G yin the 9o straps, as shown in Fig. 2, and hold the cone in place and prevent it slipping on the chain.

The two straps are held together and yfirmly .Y d

against the chain by screwbolts S, `which are' placed through the openings Din the straps and through the links of the chain and fastr ened by the thumb-nuts S', as shown in Fig. 2. The cone is thus securely held in place on the chain, and as the links of the latter rest in the r openings in the straps, the cone cannot move Ioo up or down, and, moreover, the cone fits so' closely around the. chain at its apex or small end that the rats cannot force themselves through the cone and up the chain.

The strap B' may be rigidly fastened to the cone, the same as the strap B, if desired,the opening of the cone readily allowing the adjustnient of the chain within the straps. As the cone is closed the strap is brought against thek chain in position to be fastened; but I prefer to have the strap B' hinged at b, as shown in the drawings, as it allows of more convenient adjustment.

Instead of the bolts S passing through the holes D for securing the strap on the chain, any convenient clamp may be used on the outside of the straps, the position of the links in the openings C effcctually holding the cone in position on the chain and preventing it moving up or down on the saine.

The cone is attached to the shaft in a similar manner, except that, instead of the straps or bands B B', there is a metal collar, E, secured to the apex of the cone, which is opened on one side and fastened around the shaft by the screw-bolts and screws S S', as shown in Fig. 3.

My improved device can be readily and quickly attached to the anchor-chain and propeller-shaft, and effectually prevents the rats from climbing up the chain and along the shaft and getting on board the vessel.

As will be readily understood from the above description,myiniproved cone may be attached to the rope or other like fastening by which the vessel may be secured to the wharf.

What I claim is-f l. A device for preventing rats from coming on board vessels, consisting of the cone A, formed in two parts hinged together, and operating substantially as and for the purposes set forth. l

2. A device for preventing rats from con1 ing on board vessels, consisting of the cone A, formed in two parts hinged together, and provided with the straps B B', having the elongated openings G and the holes D, substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth.

3. In a device for preventing rats from con1 ing on board vessels, the metal straps B B', attached to the cone so as to project from the apex of the same, and provided with the elongated openings C and the holes D, substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth.

4. A device for preventing rats from coming on board vessels, consisting of the cone A, formed in two parts hinged together, and provided with the collar E, substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth.

Y In testimony of which I hereto sign my naine this 24th day of February, 1887.

' THOMAS WILSON.

VVit-nesses:

J. BENEDIoT SEE, BENJ. E. SMYTH. 

